The following biographies were scanned from the remnants of a book that apparently was a copy of "The History of Polk County, Iowa" published by the Union Historical Company, Birdsall, Williams & Co. 1880.  Marion John Rice has a copyright to this transcription file and gives permission for this file to be posted to at the Iowa Biographies Projects. DELAWARE TOWNSHIP ANKENY, P. D.-Farmer, section 16, P.O. East Des Moines. Was born in Somerset county, Pennsylvania, February 3, 1826, and at the age of five years moved to Holmes county, Ohio, where he lived until 1855, then came West and finally settled in this county in the fall of 1858. He owns 200 acres of well-improved land, good house, orchard, etc. In 1870 he was elected a member of the Board of Supervisors and served for three years. December 6, 1859, he was married to Miss Ellen, daughter of Judge S. L. Lorah, of Cass county, this State. She is a native of Wayne county, Ohio. They have five children living: Rose, Daisy, Mary Louise, Paul and an infant. Have lost two. Since writing the above Mr. A. has been appointed County Clerk to fill an unexpired term. BAKER, JOSEPH--Farmer, section 15, P. O. Altoona. Was born in Montgomery county, Ohio, November 8, 1832, and at the age of seven years moved to Wayne county, Indiana; and from there came to Jasper county, this State in the fall of 1854; resided there until 1869, and then came to this county. He owns one hundred and sixty acres of improved land. He is a plow-maker by trade, and followed that until he came to Iowa, some of the time working at it there, but since residing here he has followed farming. He was married May 17, 1857, to Miss Anna Groves, a native of Wayne county, Indiana, born January 6, 1840. They have nine .children: Alida, Sadie, Mary M., Elmer, Maggie M., Wilson, Morris L., Bertha and Rose. BARLOW, L. W.-Farmer, section 21, P. O. East Des Moines. Was born in this county December 24, 1851, and has since resided here. He owns in this township one hundred and eighty acres of improved land. He was married to Miss Catharine, daughter of the late Thos. J. Henderson.. She is a native of this county. BLACKMAN, GEO. W.-Farmer, section 6, P. O. East Des Moines. Was born in Verona, Oneida county, New York, September 10, 1830, and lived there until twenty-five years of age, when he moved to Joliet Illinois; engaged in the mercantile business until 1861. Returned to New York, and in 1866 he came to this county and has since resided here. He owns one hundred and fifty-five acres of land well-improved. He has been local minister in the Methodist Church, and has been a member of that denomination for thirty-five years. Has been married four times; first, to Miss Harriet R. Adams, a native of the same place as himself. She died April 6, 1861, leaving two children living: A. A. and Inez Elizabeth, and one, Etta Sophia, deceased. He was married the second time to Harrietta L. Adams, sister of the first wife, April 16, 1862. She died February 28, 1867, leaving two children: Nathan L. living, and George E. deceased. He married for his third wife, Alvira Nagle, a native of this county, November 17, 1867. She died May 9, 1873, leaving two children: Charles D. DELAWARE TOWNSHIP. 955 living, and Otho W. deceased. His last wife was Miss Rebecca J. Maggart, who was born in Madison county, Indiana. They were married October 9, 1873. CARPER, A. G.-Farmer, section 30, P. O. East Des Moines. Was born in Whitley county, Indiana, and resided in that State until 1864, when he went West. In the fall of 1865 he was captured by the Sioux Indians and remained a prisoner until 1868, when he was brought away from them in that year by Narsell. From 1869 to 1873 he was guide and interpreter for the government. In 1873 he was wounded by Red Cloud's band of Sioux Indians; and now carries twenty-one wounds, caused by thirteen different balls. January 29, 1874, he came to this county. Was married March 10, 1876, to Miss Elizabeth Clapper, a native of Henry county, Indiana. Mr. Carper is the owner of two hundred acres of land in Harrison county Iowa. CASE, P. L.-Farmer, section 31, P. O. East Des Moines. Was born in Delaware county, Ohio, June 7, 1838, and at the age of five years came to this county with his parents. His father is now dead, and his widow lives on the same land which he entered in the year 1847, comprising 160 acres. Our subject received the advantages of a common school education, and is now the owner of thirty-eight acres of land all well-improved. During the late war he was mustered into the United States service, in company D, Second Iowa infantry, and served until he was mustered out, May 27, 1864. Participated in the battles of Fort Donelson, Shiloh, Siege of Corinth, Battle of Corinth, Bear Creek, Town Creek, Snake Creek and others. He was married in 1864 to Miss Catharine Craft of Hancock county, Indiana. They have eight children now living at home. CHAFFEE, D. N.-Farmer, section 3, P.O. Altoona. Was born in Bradford county, Pennsylvania, April 16, 1837, and at the age of eighteen moved to Carroll county, Illinois, where he lived for one summer. the year 1856 he came to this county and has made it his home since. Owns one hundred and eighty acres of land, small fruit and various other improvements. Was married July 4, 1863, to Miss Melissa A. Hardin, a native of Mercer county, Illinois. They are the parents of three children: Fannie (born October 30, 1864), Lorian (born November 3, 1863), and Nellie (born January 23, 1878). All living at home. DARLAND, G. W.-Farmer, section 5, P. O. Greenwood. Was born in Parke county Indiana, November 29, 1826, and when fourteen years of age moved to Warren county, Illinois. From there he came to this State, settling in Mahaska county in 1850, and there he resided for sixteen years. In the spring of 1865 he moved to this county, and is now the owner of one hundred and forty-four acres of improved land. His marriage was on the thirty-first day of January, 1856, when Miss Sarah A. Clark of Wayne county, Indiana, became his wife. They are the parents of seven children: five now living. One daughter, Alice. E., is now the wife of Joseph Elliott of this county. DAVIS, Mrs. R. J.-Farmer, section 8, P. O. East Des Moines. Was born in Highland county, Ohio, July 12, 1835, and in 1855 moved to Kendall county, Illinois. From there she came to this county in the year of 1868. She was married the first time, December 6, 1854, to John A. Rutherford, a native of Pennsylvania. He died November 20, 1871, leaving six children; three living, and three deceased. She was married the second ,time, February 20, 1873, to Benjamin Davis, a native of Knoxville, Tennes- 956 BIOGRAPHICAL. see, born in 1812. He died October 9, 1879, leaving two children. His first marriage was to Mary Elliott, a native of South Carolina, who died, leaving nine children: Eliza J. (wife of Cyrus F. Thornton), Henry A., Andrew, B. F., Joseph A. and Amanda, living; and three deceased. These children were all born in this county and were one of the first families of the township. ELLIOTT, F. E.-Farmer, section 5, P. O. Greenwood. Was born in Perquimons county, North Carolina, October 16, 1825, and when six years of age moved to Vermillion county, Illinois, where he lived until 1847. He then came to Iowa, settling in Polk county, in July, 1847, on the place where he now resides. He came by ox team and was about one month on the road. He had no means when he landed but had about two months' provisions. In 1848 he sold his piece of land in Illinois and bought land warrants. He now owns 540 acres of land, 120 of which were entered from the government. He was married to Miss Martha A. Brazelton, a native of Vermillion county, Illinois, born January 14,1847. They have nine children now living: John F., Francis M., Albert W., Joseph C., Alexander B., Mary L., George, Ettie May and Clara. Lost three: Marinda (wife of T. J. Thornton), Laura and Charles W. The Union Chapel is located on Mr. Elliott's farm. It was built in 1875. There is a burying ground with the church, consisting of about two acres. ELLIOTT, JAMES H.-Section 19, P. O. East Des Moines. Is the son of J. A. Elliott, of Des Moines, and was born in Indiana county, Pennsylvania, November 14, 1852. Moved to this county at the age of thirteen years and has since lived here. He was married to Miss Kittie V. Patrick, a native of Rome, New York. They have one child. FLITCRAFT, G. W.-Blacksmith, section 5, P. O. Greenwood. Was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, August 22,1839, and at the age of eighteen years came to Iowa, settling in Fulton, Jackson county. From there he went to Linn county in 1860, and he moved to this county in the fall of 1866. He has since resided here and is now the only blacksmith in the place. He was married to Ann Elizabeth McMeen, a native of Eugene, Indiana. They have three children: Eva (aged ten years), Theodore (aged eight years) and George F. (aged six years). August 23, 1862, he was. mustered into the United States service and served until June 29, 1865. Participated in the battles of Newtonia, Missouri; Prairie Grove, Arkansas; Fort Smith, Arkansas; Cape Girardeau, Missouri; Vicksburg, Yazoo Pass and siege of Mobile, beside numerous skirmishes. Was wounded, in the left leg by rifle shot. HAMMER, H.-Farmer, section 10, P. O. Altoona. Was born in Madison county, Indiana, April 13, 1834, and at the age of eight years moved to Andrew county, Missouri. He resided there three years and then came to Iowa, locating in Washington county. Lived there for two years and then moved to Jasper county and fifteen years later he came to this county, settling here in 1864. Owns 120 acres, of improved land. He was married to Miss Mary McKinney, a native of Hamilton county, Indiana. They have six children: N. Austin 20 years of age), William aged 18), Edward (aged 16), George (aged 14), Rosella (aged 10 years) and. Ells (aged 8 years). HARDIN, JOSEPH-Farmer, section 17, P. O. East Des Moines. Was born in Wayne county, Indiana, April 22, 1816, and at the age of sixteen years moved from there to Marion county, same State. He resided DELAWARE TOWNSHIP. 957 there seven years, then went to Mercer county, Illinois, and remained there two years, coming to this county in the fall of 1849. He has since resided here, having entered the land upon which he now lives. Owns 290 acres of land. We was married, in Wayne county, Indiana, in 1838, to Miss Maria J. Ewing, a native of Montgomery county, Ohio. They have eight children: James F., Eliza J. (wife of Jesse Chaffee), Benjamin, Melissa .Ann (wife of D. N. Chaffee, of this county), Alonzo ., Mary M. (wife of J. H. Brown, of Omaha), Joseph C., living, and one deceased, an infant: JAMES F. HARDIN-Was born August 12, 1839, in Marion county, Indiana. Married Melissa J. Wilson, at native of Mercer county, Illinois. Have two children living: Charles W. and Roy D. He owns seventy :acres of land on section 17. HARVEY, STEPHEN, JR.-Farmer, section 27, P. O. Oakwood. Was born in Warren county, Ohio, September 7, 1832, and is a son of Samuel Harvey, now deceased, who came to this county in 1848. When sixteen years of age our subject moved to Shelby county, Indiana, living there until he came to this county, in the spring of 1848. He came by wagon and was eighteen days on the road. He was married August 25, 1854, to Miss Mary Stewart, who was born February 8, 1836. They have ten children: Dice E., Hannah (now Mrs. Ephraim Filman, of Clay township), Theodore D., James S., Cyrus, Vera, Charles and William, living, and two deceased: John S. and Elvira. Mr. Harvey owns 181 acres of land, well improved. Has an orchard of about 700 trees, 400 of which are bearing pears. HENRY, DWIGHT-Farmer, section 18, P. O. East Des Moines. Was born in Madison county, New York, April 30, 1832. when five years of age he moved to Defiance county, Ohio, where he resided until 1876, then coming to this county. He owns eighty acres of land, well-improved, also eighty acres in Elkhart township, on section 1. He was married December 22, 1853, to Miss Catharine Munn, a native of Wayne county, Ohio, born November 21, 1832. They have three children living: Alva, Cassius and Grant. Lost one, Orlando, who died April 30, 1866. HENDERSON, JONAS-Farmer, section 21, P. O. East Des Moines. Was born in Polk county, Iowa, March 22, 1852, and has been a resident of this county ever since. He received a common school education and now ,owns 120 acres of improved land. He married Miss Nancy E., daughter of Calvin Thornton, of this county. They are the parents of two children. HERRING, ISAAC-Vegetable grower, section 31, P. O. Des Moines. Was born in Randolph county, Indiana, June 14, 1831, and in 1832, settled near Indianapolis. In 1854 he came to this State and settled in Keokuk county, and in April, 1871, came to this county. He owns a garden of ten acres. He has been twice married: first, to Miss Lydia J. Swain, native of Wayne county, Indiana. She died in (March, 1860, leaving two children: Laura E. (wife of Mr. Garner, of Kansas), and Francis E., living in this county). He was married the second time, to Miss Nellie Ludlam, a native of Pennsylvania. They have one child. March 8, 1862, he was mustered in company D, Seventeenth Iowa infantry. Participated in the battles of Lookout Mountain and Tilton, Georgia, was there taken prisoner October 14, 1864, and was in prison seven or eight months, and was the last month in Andersonville. JOHNSON, S. D.-Farmer, section 8, P. O. fast Des Moines. Was born in Oswego county, New York, April 28, 1826, and lived there until eight years of age, and then moved to Lucas county, Ohio. In October, 958 BIOGRAPHICAL. 1863, he came to this county, and has since made this county his home.. He owns a farm of eighty acres of improved land. He married Miss Mary Spaulding, a native of Maine. They have four children: Martha (wife of John A. Goble), and Cora E. (wife of O. S. Ewing, of Wabash, Indiana)The remainder are at home. JUSTICE, JAMES-Farmer and stock-raiser, section 4, P. O. Greenwood. Is a native of Mercer county, Illinois, and was born on the 16th day of July, 1842, and in the spring of 1851 came to this county with his. parents. His father entered the present farm in 1849, and has resided upon it since '51, following farming. He also engages in stock-raising and is one of the heaviest dealers in the township. Is the owner of 280 acres of land, well-improved and in good cultivation, and the farm is well adapted to stock purposes. Was married to Miss Sarah, daughter of John Harris, one of the pioneers of this county. He was born March 11, 1840.. They are the parents of five children: Frank, Maud, Mabel, Emma and Alice. LOVELESS, WASHINGTON-Farmer, section 33, P. O. East Des. Moines. Was born in Clark county, Ohio, November 27, 1826, and resided there until the fall of 1855, he then came to this county, and has since resided here. September 25, 1851, he was married to Miss Nancy Simpson, a native of Greenbrier county, Virginia. She died February 18, 1876, leaving a family of eight children, six living: Dollie (wife of R. B. Scott, of Audubon county, Iowa. The eldest son lives in Cass county, Iowa. PORTER, JAMES-Farmer, section 28, P. O. Des Moines. Was born in Dearborn county, Indiana, November 23; 1824, and lived in that State until 1854, when he came to Iowa, locating in Jasper county. He resided there until 1864. He then came to this county. He now owns a farm of 180 acres of land. He was married to Miss Sarah A. McKinney, a native of Orange county, Indiana. They have had eight children, seven of whom are now living, all married and living in this county: Mary (wife of H. B. Mason) and Nancy Martha (wife of J. W. Combs). Mr. Porter has. been a member of the board of supervisors, in all about six years. POWELL, FRED-Farmer, section 18, P. O. East Des Moines. Was born in Delaware county, Ohio, October 18,1827, and in 1859, moved to Davis county, Missouri. In the fall of 1861, he came to this county, where he owns eighty acres of improved land. He married Miss Susan Williams, a native of Oneida county, New York, January 1, 1851. They have had five children, four of whom are living. REINKING, C. D.-Farmer, section 34, P. O. Oakwood Station. Was born in West Phelan, Prussia, May 2, 1820, and when fourteen years of age came to America, first settling in Philadelphia. He resided there until 1848, and then moved to this county, landing in Des Moines with but ten dollars cash in his pocket, and five of that he had to pay to the government for entrance fees on his two land warrants. When young he learned the cabinet-maker's trade, and served a part of his early life at that business, in Philadelphia. He made the first furniture in Des Moines, and shipped the same to Iowa City and Burlington, and at one time he sold all the coffins used for twenty miles around. He sold out his business. to Alexander D. Cross. His education was limited, as he obtained it after working hours. During this time he supported his mother until she died, and also raised his sister's family of four children, receiving help from no one. In 1855, he came upon the farm where he now resides, containing DELAWARE TOWNSHIP. 959 400 acres, also has 240 acres in this township, forty acres in Camp township and 640 acres in Nebraska, besides a block on Walnut Street, Des Moines, known as Reinking's block, and other property. He was married July 8, 1852, to Miss Elenor P. Shaver, a native of Somerset county, Pennsylvania. They have two sons and two daughters, all living at home. Mr. Reinking was one of the first incorporators of the city of Des Moines. He belongs to the A. F. and A. M., and was one among the first Odd Fellows of Des Moines. SHARP, D. C:-Farmer, section 28, P. 0. East Des Moines. Was born in Dayton county. Ohio, August 6,1841, and when four years of age left there, moving to Miama county, Indiana. From there, he came to this county, in the fall of 1855, and has since resided here. May 8, 1864, he was married to Miss Hannah E. Betts, a native of Pennsylvania. They have had eight children, all of whom are living. In August, 1862, he enlisted in company I, Fifteenth Iowa infantry, and was mustered out in 1863. He re-enlisted in 1864, in company B, Fifteenth Iowa infantry. Participated in the battles of Springfield, Missouri, Newton, Fayetsville, Arkansas, White River, Arkansas, Chattanooga, Atlanta, Savannah, Georgia, Goldsborough and battle of Raleigh, besides others. SIMS, W. S.-Gardener, section 32, P. O: East Des Moines. Was born in Lawrence county, Indiana, October 16,1831, and in 1853, came to Iowa. In 1870, he came to this county. Owns a finely improved garden of twelve acres, and a variety of small fruit. He was married to Miss Sarah Bosley, a native of Tazewell county, Illinois. They have two children living. May 28, 1861, he enlisted in company E, Second Iowa infantry, and was mustered out May 28, 1864. Participated in the battles of Fort Donelson, Shiloh and Corinth, and several skirmishes. THORNTON, T. J.-Farmer, section 6, P. 0. Greenwood. Was born in Vermillion county, Illinois, November 13, 1844, and resided there until five years of age, when he cane to this county. He received a common school education. Owns 167-1/2 acres of land. About ten, years ago Mr. Thornton began improving his farm, and now he has a nice grove surrounding his house, a large barn, and an orchard of 125 trees, besides a great variety of small fruit. He has a never ceasing flow of water upon his land. He married Miss Almarinda Elliott, daughter of F. E. Elliott. She died October 1, 1877, age twenty-nine years, eleven months, leaving a family of four children, all living. October 23,1861, he enlisted in company B, Fifteenth Iowa infantry, and was discharged on account of disability. Participated in the battles of Shiloh, Corinth, and others. TOMLEY, WILLIAM-Farmer, section 19, P. 0. East Des Moines Was born April 22, 1818, in Montgomeryshire, North Wales, and emigrated to the United States. At the age of twenty-two years, he went to Delaware county, Ohio, and remained until 1865, when be came to Polk. county. Owns ninety-nine acres of well-improved land. He married Mrs. A. H. Case, a native of Delaware county, Ohio. Her maiden name was; Elizabeth N. Cox. Parents of three children, two are living. Sarah E. Case, step-daughter of Mr. Tomley, is now the wife of David F. Davis, of this county . TUMBLESON, DANIEL-Farmer, section 5, P. 0. Greenwood. Was born in Tuscarawas county, Ohio, May 26, 1831, and at the age of nine years moved to Van Wert county, Ohio. He remained there about twenty six years, and in June, 1863, came to this county, and has since resided, 960 BIOGRAPHICAL. here. October 2, 1862, he was mustered into the service in company A, Fifteenth Ohio infantry. Served until February 1, 1863, when he was discharged on account of disability. He was married in Van Wert county, Ohio, January 26, 1855, to Miss Indiana Smith, of Harrison county, Virginia. They have six children: Susan D. (wife of W. W. Wright, of Trego county, Kansas), Virginia F. (wife of Thos. Thornton, living in Guthrie county, Iowa. WATTS, THOMAS-Farmer, section 20, P. O. East Des Moines. Was born in East Kent, England, February 4, 1829, and when twenty-one years of age moved to Pennsylvania, living there for five years. He then came to Iowa and to this county, and has since resided here. Has followed farming all his life and now owns 190 acres of well improved land. March 30, 1853, he was married to Miss Agnes Cleal, of Brickport, Dorseyshire, England. They have seven children: James, Mary Ann, Elizabeth, John F. and Ellen, living, and two deceased: William and Johnnie. WEST, F. M.-Farmer, section 15, P. O. Altoona. Was born in Franklin county, Indiana, March 12, 1845, and at the age of twelve years came to this county. With the exception of five years spent in Nebraska he has resided here since that time and now owns eighty acres of well-improved land. He was married to Miss Jemimia, daughter of Stephen Harvey, of Clay township. . She is a native of Indiana. By her he had six children: Rufus E., Perry L., Stephen O., Charlie and Susan, living, and one deceased, Jerry T.